Gillespie named Yorkshire coach

Jason Gillespie, the former Australia fast bowler, has been named as Yorkshire's new coach as the county undertake a major restructuring following their poor 2011 season which saw them relegated in the County Championship.

Gillespie played for Yorkshire from 2006 to 2007 and has been appointed on a two-year term alongside Paul Farbrace, the former Kent coach, who will take charge of the second XI. Phil Jaques, the Australia left-hander, has rejoined as overseas player having previously played for Yorkshire in 2004 and 2005.

The new coaching structure will work under Martyn Moxon, the director of professional cricket, after the club opted for a clear-out. Craig White, who was the previous second XI coach, has moved into a career as an umpire while Steve Oldham, Kevin Sharp and John Blain, who all held various coaching position, were not retained having been invited to reapply for their positions.

Gillespie, 36, only has previous main coaching experience with the Zimbabwe domestic team MidWest Rhinos, but he also spent time as a bowling coach with Kings XI Punjab in the IPL and Australia A. He played 71 Tests for Australia, taking 259 wickets and also scored an unbeaten 201 in his final match against Bangladesh in 2006.

"To be able to go back there in a coaching capacity is a fantastic opportunity," Gillespie said in a statement issued from Zimbabwe where he is seeing out his current contract. "When opportunities like being first team coach at Yorkshire come up you don't turn them down.

"The one thing I'll be bringing to Yorkshire is a bit of fun and enjoyment, but making sure our preparation is spot on and leaving no stone unturned."

Jaques, meanwhile, will add strength to a top-order that struggled last season and will build on an already handsome record for Yorkshire which measures 2477 runs in 24 matches at 61.92. He has also had prolific county spells with Northamptonshire and Worcestershire but his international career was limited to 11 Tests and six ODIs. He has more than 13,000 first-class runs.